August 26, 2010

Nikkor 85mm 1.4G nano crystal coat- engagement session

I find the internet incredibly fascinating. I really do. Within the past 2-3 days, somewhere in the neighborhood of 60-70 thousand people have visited this blog- most of whom were checking out the new Nikkor 85mm 1.4G lens. I've taken a few minutes to view some of the websites and forums that have been discussing the lens. I feel incredibly lucky to have been loaned this lens from Nikon in order to shoot with it, and I can't thank everyone for the kind words regarding my images.

However, I'd like to set a few things straight. I'm not, nor is any other photographer "sponsored" by Nikon. Yes, they occasionally sponsor some of my seminars, which I'm incredibly grateful for, and once in a while I speak at tradeshows they attend- WPPI, Photoplus... etc- which I LOVE doing. I've paid for each and every piece of gear in my bag, and always have- So have each and every other photographer who used Nikon gear. EVERY ONE! Nikon wants us to use the gear because we choose to, not because we're given things.

Secondly, I am not a tester. I'm not someone with the "technical" knowledge with the proper physics background to comment on all of the incredibly trivial nonsense I've seen discussed on certain forums. It's this simple. I shot the lens, I loved the lens, and I'm going to buy the lens. Could I continue to get by with the Nikkor 85D? Absolutely I could, because it's really a killer lens, and it hasn't left my bag since I purchased it. I was asked to shoot the lens because they knew I'd put it to use in real world situations through the rigors of a wedding day.

Can I pick the lens apart like a Thom Hogan or other experts? Hell no! I also have no desire to. Either I like the lens, or I don't. It either helps me produce better imagery or it doesn't. It's sharper, it's faster, and I like the look it gives me. It's got that unmistakable sharpness that the 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200(which may be the best damn piece of glass I ever used) give me.

I use the 85 in some tough conditions and low light. There are times when the contrast is quite low. Sometimes I'll need a cross sensor point in the camera, but it's dead on sharp. The "D" would not have been as fast, and there were times I got frustrated the the "D" even though I loved it.

This lens will apparently be available in a few weeks from what I've read, so many of you glass experts will decide for yourselves. Nikon doesn't have some evil marketing machine that plants gear in the hands of ass kissers and bullshitters. What credibility would I have if the D3 sucked, or if the 70-200VRII sucked? I said the D3 rocked my world when it came out, and the 70-200VRII has helped me make better pictures.

Some forum fodder will continue forever, those who've mistaken me for a lens expert who should be doing science experiments with equipment should know that I'm making pictures for a living- not reviewing gear. All that said, I'll be buying one, and you'd better get on a list if you want one soon!

Here's another pic from today's engagement session. It's the church where this gentleman proposed to his future bride- shot in Princeton NJ. Thanks Gabby and Mike, I had a great time.

Comments

Nikkor 85mm 1.4G nano crystal coat- engagement session

I find the internet incredibly fascinating. I really do. Within the past 2-3 days, somewhere in the neighborhood of 60-70 thousand people have visited this blog- most of whom were checking out the new Nikkor 85mm 1.4G lens. I've taken a few minutes to view some of the websites and forums that have been discussing the lens. I feel incredibly lucky to have been loaned this lens from Nikon in order to shoot with it, and I can't thank everyone for the kind words regarding my images.

However, I'd like to set a few things straight. I'm not, nor is any other photographer "sponsored" by Nikon. Yes, they occasionally sponsor some of my seminars, which I'm incredibly grateful for, and once in a while I speak at tradeshows they attend- WPPI, Photoplus... etc- which I LOVE doing. I've paid for each and every piece of gear in my bag, and always have- So have each and every other photographer who used Nikon gear. EVERY ONE! Nikon wants us to use the gear because we choose to, not because we're given things.

Secondly, I am not a tester. I'm not someone with the "technical" knowledge with the proper physics background to comment on all of the incredibly trivial nonsense I've seen discussed on certain forums. It's this simple. I shot the lens, I loved the lens, and I'm going to buy the lens. Could I continue to get by with the Nikkor 85D? Absolutely I could, because it's really a killer lens, and it hasn't left my bag since I purchased it. I was asked to shoot the lens because they knew I'd put it to use in real world situations through the rigors of a wedding day.

Can I pick the lens apart like a Thom Hogan or other experts? Hell no! I also have no desire to. Either I like the lens, or I don't. It either helps me produce better imagery or it doesn't. It's sharper, it's faster, and I like the look it gives me. It's got that unmistakable sharpness that the 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200(which may be the best damn piece of glass I ever used) give me.

I use the 85 in some tough conditions and low light. There are times when the contrast is quite low. Sometimes I'll need a cross sensor point in the camera, but it's dead on sharp. The "D" would not have been as fast, and there were times I got frustrated the the "D" even though I loved it.

This lens will apparently be available in a few weeks from what I've read, so many of you glass experts will decide for yourselves. Nikon doesn't have some evil marketing machine that plants gear in the hands of ass kissers and bullshitters. What credibility would I have if the D3 sucked, or if the 70-200VRII sucked? I said the D3 rocked my world when it came out, and the 70-200VRII has helped me make better pictures.

Some forum fodder will continue forever, those who've mistaken me for a lens expert who should be doing science experiments with equipment should know that I'm making pictures for a living- not reviewing gear. All that said, I'll be buying one, and you'd better get on a list if you want one soon!

Here's another pic from today's engagement session. It's the church where this gentleman proposed to his future bride- shot in Princeton NJ. Thanks Gabby and Mike, I had a great time.